Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-02-26
RELIGION N wAR rInrrs
The Gray and the Blue In the Revival f
tween The Lines

4--1 the AaA--= lEGAEllA Be
tween the Lines
Chattanooga Times.
at the bar banquet given Saturday
night in honor Of Judge Key and Trew,
hitt, Colonel Lewis Shepherd made a re-
quest seconded by all Of tie gentlemen
present, that Mr.. TempletOn, Of the
Knoxville bar, who was present, relate
an incident which occurred during the
war Of a revival service held by his faith
sF IN North Georgia. Mr.. TempletOn
kindly consented, and related the follow
ing In q most effective and touching
manner. eiciting the most generous APP
plause at his conclusions:
my father said Mr.. Templeton, re
sides IN Chattanooga, but about the
time that Sherman made his way into
the south he refuged IN Georgia, and
stopped In GordJn county. lie was a
preacher, and preached whenever an op-
porbunity afforded.
about the time that Sherman was
driving Johnston toward Atlanta, some
time in the early part of August 1864
my father was conducting a revival at a
little hOuEe called Pine Log Greek
church, about ten miles from Calhoun,
on the W. & A R. r. The times were
most terrible about then; murder, rob-
berry and rapine were Of daily occurrence,
and the whole country was subject to
visitations by marGuding parties from
both armies. One day the old gentle
man was preaching a sermon OF unusual
power, and before he had gottsn well I'M
der way gang Of confederate soldiers
rode up and, dismountinE out back of the
church, asked if they might be admitted
10 the church. OF course they were cor
daily invited in, and took prominent
sc ats IN the church.
Not long afterwRrd a cloud OF dust
was seen in the road from the opposite
direction Of what the rebels had come.
and pretty soon the tramp OF horses
hOOfs was heard, and it was soon discov-
cred that 1t was a squad of federal
troops, and before the confedeTates in
the church could be apprised Of the ap-
PrOach they had ridden up to the door
Percelving that religious services were
being held, they alighted and asked to
be admitted. They were then told that
| there were confederate soldiers in the
! church, but insisted on going in, and
they were admitted likewise.
Naturally the strange spectacl created
some CONSERVATION in the congregation,
and for time it seemed as if the con
! fusion would break up the meeting.
/ But my father raised his voice and be-
| gan most fervently to plead better life,
beseeching his soldier hearers to become
! religious and bOndOn their sins. He
preached with unusual force and power,
the strange scene lending him inspira-
| ton. Strong men were stirred to the
/ depths, and wept like children, and the
scene Of confusion was soon changed to
/ one Of strong religious awakening.
when he concluded his sermon, as
was the custom 10 those days, he invited
/ those who were convicted to come for
J ward TO the mOuFner's bench and pray
and talk with him on the all-important
subject.
Then it was that one of the grandest
sights ever Witnessed occurred. Those
soldiers, enemies to each other, engaged
in bloody war, arose as one man, friend
and foe together, and marched TO the
front Of the church and kneeled together,
cOnfederaies by federals their muskets,
joining and crossing each other; their re-
vOlveTs touching each other as they knelt
their heads bowed upon the same altar
and their tears mIngling almost in their
deep cOntritiOn and profound feeling.
Ali animOsities were forgotten, all strife
! rgOtten-they were together as broth
! ers around a common altar.
/ CATER the services they met on the
/ outside Of the church; they shook hands
pledged fraternity, and each party went
! of, taking opposite directions. They
had been looking for each other DarhsDs
with murderoUs intent. They found
each other, but they separated with love
instead Of hate, friendly instead Of
angry"
The recital Of the story was Estered
to with marked attention and interest,
every one being desPly impressed with
the beautiful incident, winch is true
in every detail.